Galaxy and Everton in Tug-Of-War Over Donovan?

The Galaxy issued an odd statement today that leaves room for a lot of reading-between-the-lines:

We are aware of Everton’s interest in Landon Donovan, as they are one of a number of clubs who have contacted the Galaxy about the possibility of a short term loan agreement for Landon. The Galaxy, MLS and Landon’s representative will work together to determine if and whether an arrangement with Everton or any other club would be beneficial to all parties.

The last time I saw a statement like this was when Beckham was trying to get his deal with AC Milan squared away this time last year. What does it mean? Here is my translation:

Landon Donovan wants to be loaned out to Everton for the rest of the EPL season. That would mean he would miss the first eight weeks of the MLS Season and join us after the World Cup. It’s not like we have not done that before with a certain Mr. Goldenballs, but we are no pushovers. If Landon wants to do that, we expect him to return in July to boost our late summer and fall, World Cup-intoxicated ticket sales. Moreover, if Donovan moves permanently to Europe next January, we expect to see some righteous bucks head our way from the MLS head office.

Donovan’s contract with the Galaxy has expired, but the Galaxy hold an option to bring him back for two more years. They can exercise that option, call all the shots and hold him hostage, but that is probably not the wisest thing to do. However, if Landon is going to get more freedom to spend his prime three years in Europe, the Galaxy are going to want to be compensated in a big way.

9 Responses to Galaxy and Everton in Tug-Of-War Over Donovan?

Donovan deserves a chance to play in England. Galaxy deserve the money they can make off him. But does MLS really deserve Donovan’s 10% of transfer fee as well if the deal becomes permanent? I know MLS wants to develop talent but all they’re doing right now is holding back world class players from earning what their talent’s worth.

Donovan should tell MLS and the Galaxy that he’s going and that they should get on with doing the paperwork. Then he should seek a permanent deal away from MLS. Look out for Number One, Landon. Surely MLS can understand THAT argument.

I don’t really understand why he would WANT to go to Europe. He is being paid $1 million here, plus probably good endorsements.
How much more would you have to be paid to move your job to England ?

Then add on the frustration of never winning. Maybe he doesn’t care, he didn’t exactly kill himself to win MLS Cup ’09.

I lost a lot of respect for him with his lack of intense desire to win it all in November. If he goes to a team that started the season out at 200-1 to win the EPL and has played way worse than expected all respect will be gone.
Only him singlehandedly winning the WCup would save it.

And you guys are forgetting that supposedly he is trying to work out a long term deal with MLS. I hope he goes and gets his experience but then come back after the World Cup and finishes playing in the states. MLS needs players of his caliber to help the league instead of losing guys like him until they are on the back of their careers.

And for those who argue that it is stunting his growth as a player, I’d simply point out that he is usually the best player on the pitch whether it is at the Confederations Cup, USMNT qualifiers or in MLS where his famous teammate plays for AC Milan but it doesn’t seem to raise his level and certainly not above Donovans.

Arena is arguably a better coach than Moyes as well having coached on the Worlds biggest stage on a national team that is considered respectable so it is not like the coaching argument works either. The competition is better so that would help but it could also hurt his confidence heading into the World Cup as well if he doesn’t do as well as he wants to.

I think a loan is perfect but hopes he he stays in the states and gets a nice new big contract that he definitely deserves so he can finish his career in the states helping this league improve like other players such as Eddie Pope, Ben Olsen minus a short stint in England, Brian Ching, etc…

Does MLS deserve the money they would get from Donovan Yes I think they do, they were the only league willing to pay him for what he is worth.
I do think it’s funny when people talk about he won’t cut it overseas, does anybody in their right mind think that International Level Play is lower than EPL La Liga etc your crazy. I like this move it’s a win win, he also has a teamate already on the team to help him settle in. If he does not get playing time so What, have you ever read what Dempsey had to say about how intense Practices.

Lars, still not sure why the personal attacks.
But in Drew Caray’s defense, he was dissappointed in the Sounder’s season. He thought they should have won it all.
Something that LD might not understand, leaving MLS on a losing note, to go to a team with no chance of winning ever. His team won’t be playing at the highest level, they had trouble beating a thrown together MLS All Star team. The will be playing 2-3 teams playing at the highest level once or twice.
Unfortunately him going to a team like Everton, It really shows you all you need to know.